Police shooting draws protesters from near, far

ASSOCIATED PRESS

August 18, 2014 12:01 AM

In this Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 photo, rap musician Stackz sits on his white Corvette as he joins protesters in Ferguson, Mo. Though he now lives in Atlanta, he grew up in the neighborhood. "This happened right in my area. It was a must to be here," said Stackz, who said his real name was Demarco Williams. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)AP

ASSOCIATED PRESS

August 18, 2014 12:01 AM

FERGUSON, Mo. -- Protesters who have for days lined a busy suburban St. Louis street not far from the place where a white police officer fatally shot an unarmed black teenager have walked from nearby apartments, driven from neighboring communities and flown in from states hundreds of miles away. Some are young parents carrying infants. Others, college students. Retirees. Professionals taking a break from their jobs.

They have chanted, marched, shouted, danced on vehicles and -- though most have remained peaceful -- also looted and vandalized stores during late-night clashes with armored police who have fired smoke canisters and tear gas into the crowds.

The demonstrators are demanding justice for 18-year-old Michael Brown.

Some vent frustration about what they describe as a pattern of harassment and intimidation of black residents by police -- not just in Ferguson, but in many other predominantly low-income minority communities. Others see an opportunity to participate in what they consider a modern civil rights movement.

"Being black in America is basically being born with a target," said Keyon Watkins, a 26-year-old college graduate with a computer science degree who joined in the protests on a late weekend night. "All of this is just built-up, pent-up aggression by being mistreated on a daily basis."

As Watkins stood on the curb of West Florissant Avenue, a parade of vehicles slowly passed by -- some with teenagers dancing atop the hoods, some blaring music profaning police, many honking horns in what has become a sounding call for the protest.